Method of providing doses of light sufficient to deactivate dangerous pathogens throughout a volumetric space over a period of time

ABSTRACT

A method of inactivating one or more pathogens in an environment. The method includes providing light from at least one lighting element of a lighting device installed in the environment, the at least one lighting element configured to provide light toward a target area in the environment, the provided light having at least a pathogen-inactivating first component in a first range of wavelengths of 400 nanometers to 420 nanometers. The pathogen-inactivating first component of light produces an irradiance of at least 0.01 mW/cm 2  as measured at a surface in the target area that is unshielded from the lighting device and located at a distance of 1.5 meters from an external-most luminous surface of the lighting device. Providing the light causes the one or more pathogens to be inactivated.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.16/368,755, entitled “METHOD OF PROVIDING DOSES OF LIGHT SUFFICIENT TODEACTIVATE DANGEROUS PATHOGENS THROUGHOUT A VOLUMETRIC SPACE OVER APERIOD OF TIME,” and filed on Mar. 28, 2019, which is a continuation ofU.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/027,829, entitled “Single-EmitterLighting Device that Outputs a Minimum Amount of Power to ProduceIntegrated Radiance Values Sufficient for Deactivating Pathogens,” andfiled on Jul. 5, 2018, which is a continuation of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 15/485,926, entitled “Single-Emitter LightingDevice that Outputs a Minimum Amount of Power to Produce IntegratedRadiance Values Sufficient for Deactivating Pathogens,” and filed onApr. 12, 2017, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser.No. 15/178,349, entitled “Single-Emitter Lighting Device that Outputs aMinimum Amount of Power to Produce Integrated Radiance Values Sufficientfor Deactivating Pathogens,” and filed on Jun. 9, 2016, which claims thebenefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/185,391, entitled“Lamp or Fixture Enclosure for Delivering Radiation,” and filed on Jun.26, 2015, and U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/190,113,entitled “Lighting Device for Deactivating Pathogens,” and filed on Jul.8, 2015, the entire disclosures of which are hereby incorporated byreference herein.

FIELD

The present disclosure generally relates to lighting devices and, moreparticularly, to a method of providing doses of light sufficient todeactivate pathogens throughout a volumetric space over a period oftime.

BACKGROUND

Pathogens, such as viruses, bacteria, and fungi, are responsible fornumerous diseases or infections, including some very dangerous andpotentially fatal diseases and infections, that affect humans, animals,and plants. Environments, such as health-care environments (e.g.,hospitals) and restaurants, are particularly susceptible to thetransmission or spread of such pathogens. Indeed, healthcare associatedinfections (HAIs), which are caused by pathogens, such asMehicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), Clostridium difficile(C. difficile), transmitted through, for example, person-to-personcontact and skin shedding in healthcare environments, are anincreasingly dangerous problem for the healthcare industry. According tothe Center for Disease Control and Prevention, HAIs cause at least 1.7million illnesses and 99,000 deaths in acute care hospitals in the U.S.alone every year. Pathogens can also serve to spoil food products (e.g.,fruits, vegetables) and result in the loss of goods and raw materials invarious industrial processes, for example chemical processing, brewingand distillation, food packaging, and other processes that requirenon-contaminated environments.

Significant resources have already been committed to preventing andcontrolling pathogens in these environments, but to this point, theseresources have not yielded the desired results. Some existing methods ofpathogen control, e.g., those involving hygiene, have proven to belabor-intensive, difficult to monitor, and, most importantly, of limitedeffectiveness (e.g., are only temporarily effective, only deactivatesome pathogens). Other known methods of pathogen control, e.g., thoseinvolving UV-light, ozone and chemical fumigation, while successful, aretoxic to humans. Thus, environments requiring decontamination must besealed off and cannot be used during the process.

SUMMARY

One aspect of the present disclosure provides a method of inactivatingone or more pathogens in an environment. The method includes providinglight from at least one lighting element of a lighting device installedin the environment, the at least one lighting element configured toprovide light toward a target area in the environment, the providedlight having at least a pathogen-inactivating first component in a firstrange of wavelengths of 400 nanometers to 420 nanometers. Thepathogen-inactivating first component of light produces an irradiance ofat least 0.01 mW/cm² as measured at a surface in the target area that isunshielded from the lighting device and located at a distance of 1.5meters from an external-most luminous surface of the lighting device.Providing the light causes the one or more pathogens to be inactivated.

Another aspect of the present disclosure provides a lighting systemconfigured to inactivate one or more pathogens in an environment. Thelighting system includes a lighting device installed in the environment,the lighting device comprising at least one lighting element configuredto provide light toward a target area in the environment, the providedlight having at least a pathogen-inactivating first component in a firstrange of wavelengths of 400 nanometers to 420 nanometers. Thepathogen-inactivating first component of light produces an irradiance ofat least 0.01 mW/cm² as measured at a surface in the target area that isunshielded from the lighting device and located at a distance of 1.5meters from an external-most luminous surface of the lighting device,such that the providing of the light causes the one or more pathogens tobe inactivated.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying figures, where like reference numerals refer toidentical or functionally similar elements throughout the separateviews, together with the detailed description below, are incorporated inand form part of the specification, and serve to further illustrateembodiments of concepts that include the claimed embodiments, andexplain various principles and advantages of those embodiments.

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a lighting system constructed inaccordance with the teachings of the present disclosure and employed inan environment susceptible to the transmission of pathogens.

FIG. 2 is a schematic of a portion of the environment of FIG. 1including a lighting device constructed in accordance with the teachingsof the present disclosure, the lighting device configured to deactivatepathogens in that portion of the environment.

FIG. 3A illustrates the CIE 1976 chromaticity diagram.

FIG. 3B is a close-up, partial view of the diagram of FIG. 3A, showing arange of curves of white visible light that can be output by thelighting device of FIG. 2 such that the lighting device can providevisually appealing, unobjectionable white light.

FIG. 4A is a plan view of one exemplary version of the lighting deviceof FIG. 2 .

FIG. 4B is a rear perspective view of the lighting device of FIG. 4A.

FIG. 4C is a bottom view of the lighting device of FIGS. 4A and 4B,showing a first plurality of light-emitting elements configured todeactivate pathogens.

FIG. 4D is a partial, close-up view of a portion of the lighting deviceof FIG. 4C.

FIG. 5A is a perspective view of the lighting device of FIGS. 4A-4Dinstalled in a receiving structure of the environment.

FIG. 5B is a cross-sectional view of FIG. 5A.

FIG. 6A is a bottom view of another exemplary version of the lightingdevice of FIG. 2 , showing a second plurality of light-emitting elementsconfigured to deactivate pathogens.

FIG. 6B is a partial, close-up view of a portion of the lighting deviceof FIG. 6A.

FIG. 7 illustrates another exemplary version of the lighting device ofFIG. 2 ;

FIG. 8 illustrates another exemplary version of the lighting device ofFIG. 2 ;

FIG. 9A is a perspective view of another exemplary version of thelighting device of FIG. 2 ;

FIG. 9B is a cross-sectional view of the lighting device of FIG. 9A;

FIG. 9C is another cross-sectional view of the lighting device of FIG.9A, showing a first plurality of light-emitting elements configured toemit light that deactivates pathogens and a second plurality oflight-emitting elements configured to emit light that blends with lightemitted by the first plurality of light-emitting elements to produce avisually appealing visible light;

FIG. 9D is a block diagram of various electrical components of thelighting device of FIG. 9A;

FIG. 9E illustrates visually appealing white visible light that can beoutput by the lighting device of FIG. 9A when the environment isoccupied;

FIG. 9F illustrates disinfecting light that can be output by thelighting device of FIG. 9A when the environment is not occupied;

FIG. 9G illustrates one example of how the lighting device of FIGS.9A-9D can be controlled responsive to various dimming settings;

FIG. 10A is a perspective view of another exemplary version of thelighting device of FIG. 2 ;

FIG. 10B is similar to FIG. 10A, but with a lens of the lighting deviceremoved so as to show a plurality of lighting elements;

FIG. 10C is a top view of FIG. 10B;

FIG. 10D is a close-up view of one of the plurality of lighting elementsof FIGS. 10B and 10C;

FIG. 11A illustrates one example of a distribution of radiometric powerby a lighting device constructed in accordance with the teachings of thepresent disclosure;

FIG. 11B illustrates a plot of one example of light distribution from alighting device, constructed in accordance with the teachings of thepresent disclosure, as a function of the vertical angle from thehorizontal;

FIG. 11C illustrates a plot of another example of light distributionfrom a lighting device, constructed in accordance with the teachings ofthe present disclosure, as a function of the vertical angle from thehorizontal;

FIG. 11D illustrates a plot of another example of light distributionfrom a lighting device, constructed in accordance with the teachings ofthe present disclosure, as a function of the vertical angle from thehorizontal;

FIG. 11E illustrates a plot of another example of light distributionfrom a lighting device, constructed in accordance with the teachings ofthe present disclosure, as a function of the vertical angle from thehorizontal;

FIG. 11F depicts a chart of luminous flux for the light distributionplot of FIG. 11B;

FIG. 11G depicts a chart of luminous flux for the light distributionplot of FIG. 11C;

FIG. 11H depicts a chart of luminous flux for the light distributionplot of FIG. 11D;

FIG. 11I depicts a chart of luminous flux for the light distributionplot of FIG. 11E;

FIG. 12 is a flowchart of an exemplary method of providing doses oflight sufficient to deactivate dangerous pathogens throughout avolumetric space over a period of time; and

FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram of an exemplary version of a controldevice constructed in accordance with the teachings of the presentdisclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 depicts a lighting system 50 that may be implemented or includedin an environment 54, such as, for example, a hospital, a doctor'soffice, an examination room, a laboratory, a nursing home, a healthclub, a retail store (e.g., grocery store), a restaurant, or other spaceor building, or portions thereof, where it is desirable to both provideillumination and to reduce, and ideally eliminate, the existence andspread of the pathogens described above.

The lighting system 50 illustrated in FIG. 1 generally includes aplurality of lighting devices 58, a plurality of bridge devices 62, aserver 66, and one or more client devices 70 configured to connect tothe server 66 via one or more networks 74. Of course, if desired, thelighting system 50 can include more or less components and/or differentcomponents. For example, the lighting system 50 need not necessarilyinclude bridge devices 62 and/or client devices 70.

Each of the lighting devices 58 is installed in or at the environment 54and includes one or more light-emitting components, such aslight-emitting diodes (LEDs), fluorescent lamps, incandescent bulbs,laser diodes, or plasma lights, that, when powered, (i) illuminate anarea of the environment 54 proximate to or in vicinity of the respectivelighting device 58, and (ii) deliver sufficient doses of visible lightto deactivate pathogens in the illuminated area, as will be describedbelow. In one version, the lighting devices 58 can be uniformlyconstructed. In another version, the lighting devices 58 can vary intype, shape, and/or size. As an example, the lighting system 50 canemploy various combinations of the different lighting devices describedherein.

The bridge devices 62 are, at least in this example, located at theenvironment 54 and are communicatively connected (e.g., via wired and/orwireless connections) to one or more of the lighting devices 58. In thelighting system 50 illustrated in FIG. 1 , four bridge devices 62 areutilized, with each bridge device 62 connected to three differentlighting devices 58. In other examples, more or less bridge devices 62can be connected to more or less lighting devices 58.

The server 66 may be any type of server, such as, for example, anapplication server, a database server, a file server, a web server, orother server). The server 66 may include one or more computers and/ormay be part of a larger network of servers. The server 66 iscommunicatively connected (e.g., via wired and/or wireless connections)to the bridge devices 62. The server 66 can be located remotely (e.g.,in the “cloud”) from the lighting devices 58 and the client devices 70and may include one or more processors, controller modules (e.g., acentral controller 76), or the like that are configured to facilitatevarious communications and commands among the client devices 70, thebridge devices 62, and the lighting devices 58. As such, the server 66can generate and send commands or instructions to the lighting devices58 to implement various sets of lighting settings corresponding tooperation of the lighting devices 58. Each set of lighting settings mayinclude various parameters or settings including, for example, spectralcharacteristics, operating modes (e.g., examination mode, disinfectionmode, blended mode, nighttime mode, daytime mode, etc.), dim levels,output wattages, intensities, timeouts, and/or the like, whereby eachset of lighting settings may also include a schedule or table specifyingwhich settings should be used based on the time of day, day or week,natural light levels, occupancy, and/or other parameters. The server 66can also receive and monitor data, such as operating status, lightemission data (e.g., what and when light was emitted), hardwareinformation, occupancy data, daylight levels, temperature, powerconsumption, and dosing data, from the lighting devices 58 via thebridge devices 62. In some cases, this data can be recorded and used toform or generate reports, e.g., a report indicative of thecharacteristics of the light emitted by one or more of the lightingdevices 58. Such reports may, for example, be useful in evidencing thatthe environment 54 was, at or during various periods of time, deliveringsufficient doses of visible light to deactivate pathogens in theilluminated area.

The network(s) 74 may be any type of wired, wireless, or wireless andwired network, such as, for example, a wide area network (WAN), a localarea network (LAN), a personal area network (PAN), or other network. Thenetwork(s) 74 can facilitate any type of data communication via anystandard or technology (e.g., GSM, CDMA, TDMA, WCDMA, LTE, EDGE, OFDM,GPRS, EV-DO, UWB, IEEE 802 including Ethernet, WiMAX, WiFi, Bluetooth®,and others).

The client device(s) 70 may be any type of electronic device, such as asmartphone, a desktop computer, a laptop, a tablet, a phablet, a smartwatch, smart glasses, wearable electronics, a pager, a personal digitalassistant, or any other electronic device, including computing devicesconfigured for wireless radio frequency (RF) communication. The clientdevice(s) 70 may support a graphical user interface (GUI), whereby auser of the client device(s) 70 may use the GUI to select variousoperations, change settings, view operation statuses and reports, makeupdates, configure email/text alert notifications, and/or perform otherfunctions. The client device(s) 70 may transmit, via the network(s) 74,the server 66, and the bridge device(s) 62, any updated light settingsto the lighting devices 58 for implementation and/or storage thereon.The client device(s) 70 may facilitate data communications via a gatewayaccess point that may be connected to the bridge device(s) 62. In oneimplementation, the gateway access point may be a cellular access pointthat includes a gateway, an industrial Ethernet switch, and a cellularrouter integrated into a sealed enclosure. Further, the gateway accesspoint may be secured using HTTPS with a self-signed certificate foraccess to web services, and may push/pull data between various websites,the one or more bridge devices 62, and the lighting devices 58.

FIG. 2 illustrates a healthcare environment 100 that includes one of thelighting devices 58, taking the form of a lighting device 104constructed in accordance with the present disclosure. The healthcareenvironment 100, which can, for example, be or include an examinationroom, an operating room, a bathroom, a hallway, a waiting room, a closetor other storage area, a Clean room, or a portion thereof, is generallysusceptible to the spread of dangerous pathogens, as discussed above.

Laboratory studies have shown that specially configured doses of narrowspectrum visible light (e.g., light having a wavelength between 400 nmand 420 nm) can, when delivered at sufficiently high power levels (e.g.,above 3,000 mW), effectively deactivate (or destroy) dangerouspathogens. However, these doses tend to have a distracting orobjectionable aesthetic impact in or upon the environment to which theyare delivered. For example, these doses may provide an output of lightthat is undesirable when performing surgery in the healthcareenvironment 100. Thus, it has proven difficult to incorporate thesedoses into lighting devices that can simultaneously deactivate pathogensand illuminate an environment (e.g., the healthcare environment 100) ina non-objectionable manner. Instead, doses of narrow spectrum visiblelight are typically only delivered in when the environment isunoccupied, thereby severely limiting the deactivation potential of suchlighting devices.

The lighting device 104 described herein is configured to deliver dosesof narrow spectrum visible light at power levels sufficiently highenough to effectively deactivate dangerous pathogens in the healthcareenvironment 100 (or other environment), and, at the same time, providevisible light that sufficiently illuminates the environment 100 (orother environment) in a safe and unobjectionable manner.

More specifically, the lighting device 104 provides or delivers (e.g.,outputs, emits) at least 3,000 mW (or 3 W) of disinfecting light, whichhas a wavelength in the range of approximately 380 nm to approximately420 nm, and more particularly between 400 nm and 420 nm, to theenvironment 100, as it will be appreciated that doses of light having awavelength in this range but delivered at power levels lower than 3,000mW are generally ineffective in deactivating dangerous pathogens. Thelighting device 104 may, for example, provide or deliver 3,000 mW, 4,000mW (or 4 W), 5,000 mW (or 5 W), 6,000 mW (or 6 W), 7,000 mW (or 7 W),10,500 mW (or 10.5 W), or some other level of disinfecting light above3,000 mW. The lighting device 104 also provides or delivers levels ofdisinfecting light such that any exposed surface within the environment100 has or achieves a desired, minimum power density while the lightingdevice 104 is used for deactivation, thereby ensuring that theenvironment 100 is adequately disinfected. This desired, minimum powerdensity is the minimum power, measured in mW, received by any exposedsurface per unit area, measured in cm². When measured or determined overtime (the period of time over which the lighting device 104 is used fordeactivation), this minimum power density within the applicablebandwidth of visible light (e.g., 400-420 nm) may be referred to, as itis herein, as the minimum integrated irradiance, measured in mW/cm². Theminimum integrated irradiance of the disinfecting light provided by thelighting device 104, which in this example is measured from any exposedsurface or unshielded point in the environment 100 that is 1.5 m fromany point on any external-most luminous surface 102 of the lightingdevice 104 but may in other examples be measured from a differentdistance from any external-most luminous surface 102, nadir, anyunshielded point in the environment 100, or some other point, isgenerally equal to at least 0.01 mW/cm2. The minimum integratedirradiance may, for example, be equal to 0.02 mW/cm², 0.05 mW/cm², 0.1mW/cm², 0.15 mW/cm², 0.20 mW/cm², 0.25 mW/cm², 0.30 mW/cm², or someother value greater than 0.01 mW/cm².

At the same time, the lighting device 104 provides an output of visiblelight that is perceived by humans (e.g., patients, personnel) in andaround the environment 100 as white light, with properties that studieshave shown to be aesthetically pleasing, or at least unobjectionable, tohumans, and has a disinfection component including narrow spectrumvisible light. While the exact properties of the white light may varydepending on the given application, the properties generally include oneor more of the following: (1) a desirable color rendering index, e.g., acolor rendering index of greater than 70, greater than 80, or greaterthan 90; (2) a desirable color temperature, e.g., a color temperature ofbetween approximately 1500 degrees Kelvin and 7000 degrees Kelvin, moreparticularly between approximately 1800 degrees and 5000 degrees Kelvin,between approximately 2100 degrees and 6000 degrees Kelvin, betweenapproximately 2700 degrees and 5000 degrees Kelvin, or some othertemperature or range of temperatures within these ranges or partially ortotally outside of these ranges; or (3) a desirable chromaticity.

Chromaticity can be described relative to any number of differentchromaticity diagrams, such as, for example, the 1931 CIE ChromaticityDiagram, the 1960 CIE Chromaticity Diagram, or the 1976 CIE ChromaticityDiagram shown in FIG. 3A. The aesthetically pleasing white light outputby the lighting device 104 can thus be described as having propertiesrelative to or based on these chromaticity diagrams. As illustrated in,for example, FIG. 3B, the white light output by the lighting device 104may have u′, v′ coordinates on the 1976 CIE Chromaticity Diagram (FIG.3A) that lie on any number of different curves relative to a planckianlocus 105 defined by the ANSI C78.377-2015 color standard. The ANSIC78.377-2015 color standard generally describes the range of colormixing that creates pleasing, or visually appealing, white light. Thisrange is generally defined by the planckian locus 105, which is alsoknown as a blackbody curve, with some deviation, measured in Duv, aboveor below the planckian locus 105. The different curves on which the u′,v′ coordinates of the white light output can lie deviate from theplanckian locus 106 by different Duv values, depending upon the givenapplication. The white light may, for example, lie on a curve 106A thatis 0.035 Duv above the planckian locus 105, on a curve 106B that is0.035 Duv below (−0.035 Duv) the planckian locus 105, on a curve 107that is 0.02 Duv below (−0.02 Duv) the planckian locus 105, on a curvethat is 0.02 Duv above the planckian locus, or some other curve between0.035 Duv above and 0.035 Duv below the planckian locus 105.

The lighting device 104 is, in some cases, fully enclosed, whichpromotes cleanliness, by, for example, preventing pathogens from nestingon or within internal components of the lighting device 104, which wouldotherwise be hard to reach with the specially configured narrow spectrumvisible light. In other words, in these cases, no surface internal tothe lighting device 104 is exposed to the environment 100 surroundingthe lighting device 104, such that dangerous pathogens cannot reside onsurfaces hidden from the narrow spectrum visible light.

As will be described herein, the lighting device 104 includes one ormore light-emitting elements, e.g., light-emitting diodes (LEDs),configured to emit light as desired. The lighting device 104 optionallyincludes one or more reflectors, one or more lenses, one or morediffusers, and/or one or more other components. In some examples, e.g.,when LEDs are employed in the lighting device, the lighting device 104can include a means for maintaining a junction temperature of the LEDsbelow a maximum operating temperature of the LEDs. The means formaintaining a junction temperature may, for example, include one or moreheat sinks, spreading heat to printed circuit boards coupled to theLEDs, a constant-current driver topology, a thermal feedback system toone or more drivers (that power the LEDs) via NTC thermistor, or othermeans that reduce LED drive current at sensed elevated temperatures. Thelighting device 104 can further include an occupancy sensor 108, adaylight sensor 112, one or more communication modules 116, and one ormore control components 120, e.g., a local controller. The lightingdevice 104 can optionally include one or more additional sensors, e.g.,two occupancy sensors 108, a sensor that measures the light output bythe device 104, etc.

In this version, the occupancy sensor 108 is an infrared (IR) motionsensor that detects motion within a pre-determined range of or distancefrom (e.g., 50 feet) the lighting device 104, so as to identify (or helpidentify) whether the environment 100 is occupied or is vacant (i.e.,not occupied) and has been occupied or vacant for a period of time(e.g., a predetermined period of time, such as 15 minutes, 30 minutes,etc.). The occupancy sensor 108 may continuously monitor the environment100 to determine whether the environment 100 is occupied. In otherversions, the occupancy sensor 108 can be a different type of sensor,e.g., an ultrasonic sensor, a microwave sensor, a CO₂ sensor, a thermalimaging sensor, that utilizes a different occupancy detection techniqueor technology to identify (or help identify) whether the environment 100is or is not occupied and has or has not been occupied for a period oftime. In some versions, multiple occupancy sensors 108 that detectoccupancy using different detection techniques or technologies can beemployed to provide for a more robust detection. As an example, thelighting device 104 can include one infrared motion sensor and one CO₂sensor, which utilize different techniques or technologies to detectoccupancy. The daylight sensor 112, meanwhile, is configured to detectnatural light within a pre-determined range of or distance from (e.g.,50 feet) the lighting device 104, so as to identify whether it isdaytime or nighttime (and thus, whether the environment 100 is or is notoccupied).

The lighting device 104 can, responsive to occupancy data obtained bythe occupancy sensor 108 and/or natural light data obtained by thedaylight sensor 112, be controlled by the local controller 120 (or othercontrol components) to emit visible light of or having variouscharacteristics. The lighting device 104 can, for example, responsive todata indicating that the environment 100 is vacant (i.e., not occupied),be controlled so as to output visible light consisting only of thespecially configured narrow spectrum visible light. In some cases, thenarrow spectrum visible light is only output after the lighting device104 determines that the environment 100 has been vacant for apre-determined period of time (e.g., 30 minutes), thereby providing afail-safe that ensures that the environment 100 is indeed vacant. Thelighting device 104 can, via the communication module(s) 116, becommunicatively connected to and controlled by the remotely locatedserver 66 (as well as remotely located client devices 70) and/or becommunicatively connected to other lighting devices 58. As such, thelighting device 104 may transmit data, such as operating status (e.g.,the operating mode), light emission data, hardware information,occupancy data, daylight levels, output wattages, temperature, powerconsumption, to the server 66 and/or other lighting devices 58, and mayreceive, from the server 66, other lighting devices 58, and/or theclient devices 70, operational instructions (e.g., turn on, turn off,provide light of a different spectral characteristic, switch betweenoperating modes) and/or other data (e.g., operational data from or aboutthe other lighting devices 58).

It will be appreciated that the lighting device 104 can be manuallycontrolled (e.g., by a user of the lighting device 104) and/orautomatically controlled responsive to other settings, parameters, ordata in place of or in addition to the data obtained by the occupancysensor 108 and/or the daylight sensor 112. The lighting device 104 may,for example, be partially or entirely controlled by the local controller120 (or other control components) responsive to an operating mode, a dimlevel, a schedule or a table, or other parameter(s) or setting(s)received by the local controller 120 (or other control component(s)).

In some versions, such as the one illustrated in FIG. 2 , the lightingdevice 104 can include a dosing or deactivation feedback system 124 thatmonitors and records the amount and frequency of dosing delivered by thelighting device 104. The dosing feedback system 124 is, in this version,implemented by the local controller 120, though the dosing feedbacksystem 124 can be implemented using other components (e.g., a suitableprocessor and memory) in the lighting device 104 or can be implementedvia the server 66. In any event, the dosing feedback system 124 achievesthe aforementioned aims by monitoring and recording the variousparameters or settings of and associated with the lighting device 104over a period of time. More specifically, the dosing feedback system 124monitors and records the spectral characteristics, the output wattages,wavelengths, and/or intensities of the light (or components thereof)emitted by the lighting device 104, the minimum integrated irradiance ofthe disinfecting narrow spectrum visible light provided by the lightingdevice 104, occupancy data obtained by the occupancy sensor 108, theamount of time the lighting device 104 has spent in various operatingmodes (e.g., examination mode), dim levels, and the like. As an example,the dosing feedback system 124 monitors and records when the lightingdevice 104 emits visible light that includes or solely consists ofdisinfecting narrow spectrum visible light (i.e., light having awavelength between 400 nm and 420 nm), as well as the levels and density(and more particularly the minimum integrated irradiance) ofdisinfecting narrow spectrum visible light delivered during those times.Based on the parameters or settings of the lighting device 104, thedosing feedback system 124 (and/or an operator of the lighting device104) can determine the quantity and frequency of deactivation dosingdelivered by the lighting device 104. Alternatively or additionally, thedosing feedback system 124 can provide the recorded data to the server66 (via the communication module(s) 116), which can in turn determinethe quantity and frequency of deactivation dosing delivered by thelighting device 104. In some cases, the dosing feedback system 124and/or the server 66 can generate periodic reports including theobtained data and/or determinations with respect to deactivation dosing.When the dosing feedback system 124 generates these reports, the reportscan be transmitted to the server 66 or any other component via thecommunication module(s) 116. In any case, the dosing feedback system 124allows a hospital or other environment 100 that implements the lightingdevice 104 to quantitatively determine (and verify) that sufficientlevels of deactivation dosing were delivered over various periods oftime or at certain points in time (e.g., during a particular operation).This can, for example, be extremely beneficial in the event that thehospital or other environment 100 is sued by a patient alleging thatshe/he acquired a HAI while at the hospital or other environment 100.

As illustrated in FIGS. 4A-4C, the lighting device 104 can take the formof a light bulb or fixture 200. The light fixture 200 includes anenclosed housing 204, an array 208 of light-emitting elements 212coupled to (e.g., installed or mounted on) a portion of the housing 204,a base 216 coupled to (e.g., integrally formed with) the housing 204,and an occupancy sensor 220 coupled to (e.g., disposed or arranged on) aportion of the housing 204. The occupancy sensor 220 is optimallypositioned to detect motion within a pre-determined range of or distancefrom (e.g., 50 feet) the light 200 within the environment 100. The lightfixture 200 can emit light responsive to detection data obtained by theoccupancy sensor 220, as will be discussed in greater detail below.

The housing 204 is, as noted above, enclosed, thereby preventingmoisture ingress into the light fixture 200 and/or contamination of theinternal components of the light fixture 200. More specifically, nosurface internal to the housing 204 is exposed to the environment 100,such that dangerous pathogens cannot reside on surfaces hidden from thedeactivating light emitted by the light device 200. The housing 204illustrated in FIGS. 4A-4C is made of or manufactured from aluminum orstainless steel and has a first end 224, a second end 228, an outwardlyextending annular flange 230 formed at the second end 228, and an outercircumferential wall 232 extending between the first and second ends224, 228. The outer circumferential wall 232 has a substantially conicalshape, with the diameter of the circumferential wall 232 increasing in adirection from the first end 224 to the second end 228, such that thediameter of the wall 232 is larger at the second end 228 than at thefirst end 224.

The housing 204 also includes a circular support surface 236 and aninner circumferential wall 240 surrounding the support surface 236. Thesupport surface 236, which at least in FIG. 4B faces downward, isarranged to receive a portion or all of the array 208 of thelight-emitting elements 212. The inner circumferential wall 240, likethe outer circumferential wall 232, has a substantially conical shape.The inner circumferential wall 240 is spaced radially inward of theouter circumferential wall 232 and extends between the flange 230 of thehousing 204 and the support surface 236.

The housing 204 also includes a support element, which in this versiontakes the form of a cylindrical post 244, disposed along a center axis248 of the light 200. The cylindrical post 244 extends outward (downwardwhen viewed in FIG. 4B) from the support surface 236 and terminates atan end 250 positioned axially inward of the second end 228 (i.e.,axially located between the first and second ends 224, 228). A cavity252 is formed or defined proximate to the second end 228 and between theflange 230, the inner circumferential wall 240, and the cylindrical post244.

The array 208 of light-emitting elements 212 is generally arranged on orwithin the enclosed housing 204. The array 208 of light-emittingelements 212 is, in this version, arranged on an outer portion of theenclosed housing 204 exposed to the environment 100. More specifically,the light-emitting elements 212 are arranged in the cavity 252, on thesupport surface 236 and surrounding the post 244, as illustrated inFIGS. 4B and 4C. The light-emitting elements 212 can be secured in anyknown manner (e.g., using fasteners, adhesives, etc.). Any number oflight-emitting elements 212 can be utilized, depending on the givenapplication (e.g., depending upon the healthcare environment 100. As anexample, more light-emitting elements 212 may be utilized for largerenvironments 100 and/or for environments 100 particularly susceptible tohigh levels of dangerous pathogens.

The light-emitting elements 212 include one or more first light-emittingelements 256 and one or more second light-emitting elements 260 arrangedin any number of different patterns. The light-emitting elements 212illustrated in FIGS. 4C and 4D include a plurality of clusters 262 eachhaving one first light-emitting element 256 surrounded by three secondlight-emitting elements 260. However, in other examples, thelight-emitting elements 212 can be arranged differently, for example,with one or more of the clusters 262 having a different arrangement ofthe light-emitting elements 256 and the second light-emitting elements260. The light-emitting elements 256 in this version take the form oflight-emitting diodes (LEDs) and are configured to together (i.e.,combine to) emit at least 3,000 mW of specially configured visiblelight, i.e., light having a wavelength in a range of betweenapproximately 380 nm and approximately 420 nm, and more particularly,light having a wavelength between 400 nm and 420 nm. In some cases, thelight-emitting elements 256 can be configured to together emit at least5,000 mW of specially configured visible light, while in other cases,the light-emitting elements can be configured to together emit at least10,500 mW of specially configured visible light. The light-emittingelements 260 also take the form of LEDs, at least in this version, butare configured to emit visible light that complements the visible lightemitted by the light-emitted elements 256. Generally speaking, the lightemitted by the light-emitting elements 260 has a wavelength greater thanthe wavelength of the light emitted by the light-emitting elements 256.In many cases, the light emitted by some, if not all, of thelight-emitting elements 260 will have a wavelength greater than 500 nm.As an example, the light-emitting elements 260 may emit red, green, andblue light, which combine to yield or form white visible light. Thetotal light emitted by the light-emitting elements 256 has, in manycases, a greater luminous flux than the total light emitted by thelight-emitting elements 260, though this need not be the case.

In any event, the light-emitting elements 256 and 260 are configuredsuch that the total or combined light emitted by the array 208 is white,a shade of white, or a different color that is aestheticallynon-objectionable in the healthcare environment 100. Generally speaking,the total or combined light will have a color rendering index of above70, and, more preferably, above 80 or above 90, and will have a colortemperature in a range of between 1500 degrees and 7000 degrees Kelvin,preferably in a range of between 2100 degrees and 6000 degrees Kelvin,and, more preferably, in a range of between 2700 degrees and 5000degrees Kelvin.

The base 216 is coupled proximate to, and protrudes outward from, thefirst end 224 of the housing 204. The base 216 in this version is athreaded base that is integrally formed with the housing 204 and isadapted to be screwed into a matching socket (not shown) provided in areceiving structure in the healthcare environment 100. The matchingsocket can be provided in a wall, a ceiling, a floor, a housing, or someother structure, depending upon the healthcare environment 100. In anyevent, as is known in the art, the threaded base 216 can include one ormore electrical contacts adapted to be electrically connected tocorresponding electrical contacts of the socket when the base 216 iscoupled to the socket, thereby powering the light fixture 200.

It is generally desired that the base 216 be screwed into the matchingsocket such that at least a portion of the housing 204 is recessed intothe discrete structure, thereby sealing that portion of the housing 204from the external environment. FIGS. 5A and 5B illustrate an example ofthis, wherein the light fixture 200 is sealingly disposed in a receivingstructure 270 provided (e.g., formed) in a ceiling, housing, or otherstructure in the environment 100. The receiving structure 270 has asubstantially cylindrical base 272 and an outwardly extending flange 274formed at an end 276 of the base 272. A seal (e.g., a gasket) 278 isdisposed on the outwardly extending flange 274 of the receivingstructure 270. When the base 216 of the light fixture 200 is screwedinto a matching socket (not shown) provided in the receiving structure270, the housing 204 of the light fixture 200 is substantially entirelydisposed or recessed within the base 272 of the receiving structure 270,and the flange 230 of the light 200 sealingly engages the seal 278disposed on the flange 274 of the receiving structure 270. In this way,the housing 204 is substantially sealed off from the outside environment100.

With reference back to FIGS. 4A and 4B, the occupancy sensor 220, whichcan take the form of a passive infrared motion sensor, a microwavemotion sensor, an ultrasonic motion sensor, or another type of occupancysensor, is arranged or disposed on a downward facing portion of thehousing 204. The occupancy sensor 220 in this version is disposed on theend 250 of the cylindrical post 244, which allows the occupancy sensor220 to detect motion within a pre-determined range of or distance from(e.g., 50 feet) the light device 200 within the environment 100. In somecases, the occupancy sensor 220 can detect any motion within theenvironment 100 (e.g., when the environment 100 only includes one lightfixture 200). As briefly discussed above, the light 200 can emit lightresponsive to detection data obtained by the occupancy sensor 220. Morespecifically, the light fixture 200 can adjust the outputted light inresponse to detection data obtained by the occupancy sensor 220. When,for example, the occupancy sensor 220 does not detect any motion withinthe pre-determined range or distance, the light device 200 device canshut off or emit less light from the second light-emitting elements 260,as the healthcare environment 100 is not occupied (and, therefore, thecolor of the emitted light may not matter). In other words, the light200 can emit light only from the first light-emitting elements 256,thereby deactivating dangerous pathogens while using less power.Conversely, when the occupancy sensor 220 detects motion within thepre-determined range or distance, the light fixture 200 can emit lightfrom both the first and second light-emitting elements 256, 260, therebyensuring that the aesthetically unobjectionable light (e.g., whitelight) is provided to the occupied healthcare environment 100 and, atthe same time, the light fixture 200 continues to deactivate dangerouspathogens, even while the environment 100 is occupied.

With reference still to FIGS. 4A and 4B, the light fixture or bulb 200also includes an annular refractor 280. The refractor 280 in thisversion is a nano-replicated refractor film mounted to the innercircumferential wall 240 of the housing 204. The refractor 280 can besecured there via any known manner (e.g., using a plurality offasteners, using adhesives, etc.). So disposed, the refractors 280surrounds or circumscribes the first and second light-emitting elements256, 260, such that the refractor 280 helps to focus and evenlydistribute light emitted from the light 200 to the environment 100. Ifdesired, the refractor 280 can be arranged differently or other types ofrefractors can instead be utilized so as to yield different controlledlight distributions.

Although not depicted herein, it will be understood that one or moredrivers (e.g., LED drivers), one or more other sensors (e.g., a daylightsensor), one or more lenses, one or more reflectors, one or more boards(e.g., a printed circuit board, a user interface board), wiring, variouscontrol components (e.g., a local controller communicatively connectedto the server 66), one or more communication modules (e.g., one or moreantennae, one or more receivers, one or more transmitters), and/or otherelectrical components can be arranged or disposed within or proximate tothe enclosed housing 204. The communication modules can include one ormore wireless communication modules and/or one or more wiredcommunication modules. The one or more communication modules can thusfacilitate wireless and/or wired communication, using any knowncommunication protocol(s), between components of the light bulb orfixture 200 and the local controller, the server 66, and/or othercontrol system components. More specifically, the one or morecommunication modules can facilitate the transfer of various data, suchas occupancy or motion data, operational instructions (e.g., turn on,turn off, dim, etc.), etc., between the components of the bulb orfixture 200 and the local controller, the server 66, other lightingdevices 58, and/or other control system components. For example, dataindicative of when light is emitted from the light-emitting elements256, 260 can be monitored and transmitted to the server 66 via suchcommunication modules. As another example, data indicative of how muchlight is emitted from the light-emitting elements 256, 260 over apre-determined period of time (e.g., during a specific surgicalprocedure) can be monitored and transmitted to the server 66 via suchcommunication modules.

In other versions, the light bulb or fixture 200 can be constructeddifferently. Specifically, the housing 204 can have a different size,shape, and/or be made of one or more materials other than or in additionto aluminum or stainless steel. For example, the housing 204 can have arectangular, square, triangular, irregular, or other suitable shape. Inone version, the housing 204 may not include the post 244 and/or thepost 244 may take on a different shape and/or size than the cylindricalpost 244 illustrated in FIGS. 4A and 4B.

Moreover, the array 208 of light-emitting elements 212 can vary. In someversions, the array 208 (or portions thereof) can be arranged within oron a different portion of the housing 204. In some versions, the array208 of light-emitting elements 212 may only include the firstlight-emitting elements 256, which, as noted above, are configured toemit specially configured spectrum visible light at a sufficiently highpower level. In these versions, one or more of the light-emittingelements 256 can be covered or coated with phosphors, substrates infusedwith phosphors, and/or one or more other materials and/or media so as toyield light having a higher wavelength than the specially configurednarrow spectrum visible light, such that the total or combined lightemitted by the array 208 is white, a shade of white, or a differentcolor that is aesthetically non-objectionable in the healthcareenvironment 100. FIGS. 6A and 6B depict one such version, wherein thelight-emitting elements 212 include a plurality of clusters 284 of fourlight-emitting elements 256, with three of the light-emitting elements256A, 256B, and 256C being covered or coated with phosphors, and one ofthe light-emitting elements 256D being uncovered (i.e., not coated witha phosphor). In the illustrated version, the three light-emittingelements 256A, 256B, and 256C are covered or coated with blue, red, andgreen phosphors, respectively, such that the total or combined lightemitted by each cluster 284 (and, thus, the array 208) is white, a shadeof white, or a different color that is aesthetically non-objectionablein the healthcare environment 100. It will be appreciated that in otherversions, more or less of the light-emitting elements 256 can be coveredwith phosphors, the light-emitting elements 256 can be covered withdifferent colored phosphors, and/or the light-emitting elements 256 canbe arranged differently relative to one another (i.e., the clusters 284can vary). In yet other versions, the array 208 can include additionallight-emitting elements, e.g., LEDs configured to emit speciallyconfigured visible light at a sufficiently high power level, configuredto be turned on only when no motion is detected in the environment 100(for even greater room dosage). Finally, it will be appreciated that thefirst and/or second light-emitting elements 256, 260 can, instead ofbeing LEDs, take the form of fluorescent, incandescent, plasma, or otherlight-elements.

FIG. 7 illustrates another version of the lighting device 104. Asillustrated in FIG. 7 , the lighting device 104 can take the form of alight bulb or fixture 300. The light fixture 300 is substantiallysimilar to the light fixture 200, with common reference numerals used torefer to common components. However, unlike the light 200, the light 300includes a heat sink 302 formed on an exterior surface of the light 300and configured to dissipate heat generated by the light fixture 300,and, more particularly, the light-emitting elements 212. In some cases,the heat sink 302 can be coupled (e.g., mounted, attached) to and arounda portion of the outer circumferential wall 232, while in other casesthe heat sink 302 can be integrally formed with the housing 204 (inwhich case the heat sink 302 may take the place of some or all of thewall 232).

FIG. 8 illustrates yet another version of the lighting device 104. Asillustrated in FIG. 7 , the lighting device 104 can take the form of alight bulb or fixture 400. The light 400 includes an enclosed housing404 that is different from the housing 204 of the lights 200, 300. Theenclosed housing 404 is, in this version, is made of or manufacturedfrom glass or plastic and is shaped like a housing of a conventionalincandescent light bulb. The light 400 also includes a base 416, whichis similar to the base 216 described above. However, unlike aconventional incandescent light bulb, the light 400 also includes thelight-emitting elements 212, which are arranged within the enclosedhousing 404 and, as discussed above, are configured to provide speciallyconfigured narrow spectrum visible light at power levels sufficientlyhigh enough to effectively deactivate dangerous pathogens, all whileproviding an output of quality light that is unobjectionable.

FIGS. 9A-9D illustrate yet another version of the lighting device 104,in the form of a light fixture 500. The light fixture 500 includes ahousing or chassis 504, a plurality of light-emitting elements 512coupled to (e.g., installed or mounted on) a portion of the housing 504,a lens 514 configured to diffuse light emitted by the light-emittingelements 512 in an efficient manner, a pair of support arms 516 coupledto (e.g., integrally formed with) the housing 504, and a control devicein the form of a local controller 520 that is identical to thecontroller 120 described above. It will be appreciated that the lightfixture 500 also includes an occupancy sensor, a daylight sensor, acommunication module, and a dosing feedback system; these componentsare, however, identical to the motion sensor 108, the daylight sensor112, the communication module 116, and the dosing feedback system 124,respectively, described above, so are, for the sake of brevity, notillustrated in FIGS. 9A-9C and are not described in any further detailbelow. The light fixture 500 may also include any of the means formaintaining junction temperature discussed above in connection with thelighting device 104.

The housing 504 in this version is made of or manufactured from steel(e.g., 18-gauge welded cold-rolled steel) and has a substantiallyrectangular flange 528 that surrounds a curved, interior support surface532, which at least in FIG. 9B faces downward. The rectangular flange528 and the curved, interior support surface 532 together define acavity 536 sized to receive the lens 514, which in this example is aFrost DR Acrylic lens manufactured by Kenall Manufacturing. The supportarms 516 are coupled to an exterior portion of the housing 504 proximateto the flange 528, with one support arm 516 coupled at or proximate to afirst end 544 of the housing 504 and the other support arm 516 coupledat or proximate to a second end 546 of the housing 504 opposite thefirst end 536. The support arms 516 are thus arranged to facilitateinstallation of the light fixture 500, e.g., within a ceiling of theenvironment 100.

The light-emitting elements 512 are generally arranged on or within thehousing 504. The light-emitting elements 512 are, in this version,arranged in a sealed or closed light-mixing chamber 550 defined by thehousing 504 and the lens 540. The light-emitting elements 512 can besecured therein any known manner (e.g., using fasteners, adhesives,etc.). The light-emitting elements 512 in this version include aplurality of first light-emitting elements in the form of a plurality offirst LEDs 556 and a plurality of second light-emitting elements in theform of a plurality of second LEDs 560. The light-emitting elements 512can be arranged on first and second LED modules 554, 558 in the mannerillustrated in FIG. 9C, with the second LEDs 560 clustered together invarious rows and columns, and the first LEDs 556 arranged between theserows and columns, or can be arranged in a different manner. In oneexample, ninety-six (96) first LEDs 556 and five-hundred seventy-six(576) second LEDs 560 are used, for a ratio of first LEDs 556 to secondLEDs 560 equal to 1:6. In other examples, more or less first and secondLEDs 556, 560 can be employed, with different ratios of first LEDs 556to second LEDs 560. As an example, the ratio of first LEDs 556 to secondLEDs 560 may be equal to 1:3, 1:2, 1:1, or some other ratio, dependingupon the power capabilities of the first and second LEDs 556, 560.

The first LEDs 556 are, like the light-emitting elements 256, configuredto provide (e.g., emit) specially configured visible light, i.e., lighthaving a wavelength in a range of between approximately 380 nm andapproximately 420 nm, and more particularly in a range of between 400 nmand 420 nm, with the combination or sum of the first LEDs 556 configuredto provide or deliver (e.g., emit) sufficiently high levels of thespecially configured visible light so as to deactivate pathogenssurrounding the light fixture 500. As discussed above, the first LEDs556 may together (i.e., when summed) emit at least 3,000 mW of thespecially configured visible light, e.g., 3,000 mW, 4,000 mW, 5,000 mW,or some other level of visible light above 3,000 mW. The minimumintegrated irradiance of the specially configured visible light emittedor otherwise provided by all of the LEDs 556, which, at least in thisexample, is measured from any exposed surface or unshielded point in theenvironment 100 that is 1.5 m from any point on any external-mostluminous surface 562 of the lighting device 504, may be equal to 0.01mW/cm², 0.02 mW/cm², 0.05 mW/cm², 0.1 mW/cm², 0.15 mW/cm², 0.20 mW/cm²,0.25 mW/cm², 0.30 mW/cm², or some other value greater than 0.01 mW/cm².In other examples, the minimum integrated irradiance of the speciallyconfigured visible light may be measured from a different distance fromany external-most luminous surface 562, nadir, or any other unshieldedor exposed surface in the environment 100. The second LEDs 560 are, likethe light-emitting elements 260, configured to emit visible light, butthe second LEDs 560 emit light having a wavelength that is greater thanthe wavelength of the light emitted by the one or more first LEDs 556.The light emitted by the second LEDs 560 will generally have awavelength that is greater than 500 nm, though this need not be thecase.

In any event, the light emitted by the second LEDs 560 complements thevisible light emitted by the one or more first LEDs 556, such that thecombined or blended light output formed in the mixing chamber 550 is awhite light having the properties discussed above (e.g., white lighthaving a CRI of above 80, a color temperature in a range of between 2100degrees and 6000 degrees, and/or (u′,v′) coordinates on the 1976 CIEChromaticity Diagram that lie on a curve that is between 0.035 Duv belowand 0.035 above a planckian locus defined by the ANSI C78.377-2015 colorstandard). As a result, the combined or blended light output by thelight fixture 500 is aesthetically pleasing to humans, as illustratedin, for example, FIG. 9E.

With reference back to FIG. 9D, the lighting device 504 also includes afirst LED driver 564 and a second LED driver 568 each electricallyconnected to the controller 520 and powered by external power (e.g., ACpower) received from an external power source (not shown). Responsive toinstructions or commands received from the controller 520, the first LEDdriver 564 is configured to power the first LEDs 556, while the secondLED driver 568 is configured to power the second LEDs 560. In otherexamples, the lighting device 564 can include more or less LED drivers.As an example, the lighting device 564 can include only one LED driver,configured to power the first LEDs 556 and the second LEDs 560, or caninclude multiple LED drivers configured to power the first LEDs 556 andmultiple LED drivers configured to power the second LEDs 560.

As also illustrated in FIG. 9D, the controller 520 may receive a dimmersetting 572 and/or a mode control setting 576 received from a user ofthe lighting device 504 (e.g., input via a dimming switch electricallyconnected to the light fixture 500) and/or a central controller via,e.g., the server 66. The dimmer setting 572 is a 0-10 V control signalthat specifies the desired dimmer or dimming level for the lightingdevice, which is a ratio of a desired combined light output of the firstand second LEDs 556, 560 to the maximum combined light output of thefirst and second LEDs 556, 560 (and which corresponds to the blended orcombined output discussed above). The 0 V input generally corresponds toa desired dimming level of 100% (i.e., no power is supplied to the firstLEDs 556 or the second LEDs 560), the 5 V input generally corresponds toa desired dimming level of 50%, and the 10 V input generally correspondsto a desired dimming level of 0% (i.e., the first and second LEDs 556,560 are fully powered), though this need not be the case. The modecontrol setting 576 is a control signal that specifies the desiredoperating mode for the lighting device 504. The mode control setting 576may, for example, specify that the lighting device 504 be in a firstmode (e.g., an examination mode, a disinfection mode, a blended mode),whereby the first and second LEDs 556, 560 are fully powered, or asecond mode (e.g., a nighttime mode), whereby the second LEDs 560 arepowered while the first LEDs 556 are not powered (or are powered at alower level). Other modes and/or modes corresponding to different powersettings or levels may be utilized.

In operation, the light fixture 500 provides or outputs (e.g., emits)light based on or in response to commands or instructions from the localcontroller 520. More specifically, the first LED driver 564 and/or thesecond LED driver 568 power the first LEDs 556 and/or the second LEDs560, such that the first LEDs 556 and/or the second LEDs 560 provide oroutput (e.g., emit) a desired level of light, based on or in response tocommands or instructions to that effect received from the localcontroller 520. These commands or instructions may be generated based onor responsive to receipt of the dimmer setting 572, receipt of the modecontrol setting 576, occupancy data obtained by the occupancy sensorand/or daylight data obtained by the daylight sensor, and/or based on orresponsive to commands or instructions received from the server 66and/or the client devices 70. Thus, the light fixture 500, and moreparticularly the first LEDs 556 and/or the second LEDs 560, may provide(e.g., emit) light responsive to occupancy data obtained by theoccupancy sensor, daylight data obtained by the daylight sensor, and/orother commands or instructions (e.g., timing settings, dimmer settings,mode control settings).

The light fixture 500 can, for example, responsive to data indicatingthat the environment 100 is occupied, data indicating that there is amore than pre-determined amount of natural light in the environment 100(i.e., it is daytime), and/or various commands and instructions, emitlight from the first LEDs 556 and the second LEDs 560, thereby producinga blended or combined output of white visible light discussed above. Inturn, the light fixture 500 produces a visible white light thateffectively deactivates dangerous pathogens in the environment 100, and,at the same time, illuminates the environment 100 in a safe andobjectionable manner (e.g., because the environment 100 is occupied, itis daytime, and/or for other reasons).

However, responsive to data indicating that the environment 100 is notoccupied or has been unoccupied for a pre-determined amount of time(e.g., 30 minutes, 60 minutes), the light fixture 500 can reduce thepower of the second LEDs 560, such that a substantial portion of theoutput light is from the first LEDs 556, or shut off the second LEDs 560(which are no longer needed to produce a visually appealing blendedoutput since the environment 100 is unoccupied), such that light is onlyemitted from the first LEDs 556, as illustrated in FIG. 9F. The lightfixture 500 can, at the same time, increase the power or intensity ofthe first LEDs 556 and, in some cases, can activate one or more thirdLEDs that are not shown but are configured, like the LEDs 556, to emitsufficiently high levels of specially configured visible light, i.e.,light having a wavelength in a range of between approximately 380 nm andapproximately 420 nm, and more particularly between 400 nm and 420 nm.In this manner, the deactivation effectiveness of the light fixture 500can be increased (without sacrificing the visual appeal of the lightfixture 500, as the environment 100 is unoccupied) and, at the sametime, the energy consumption of the light fixture 500 can be reduced, orat the very least maintained (by virtue of the first LEDs 556 beingreduced or shut off).

In some cases, the light fixture 500 can, responsive to data indicatingthat the environment 100 is not occupied or has been unoccupied for aperiod of time less than a pre-determined amount of time (e.g., 30minutes), provide or output the combined or blended light output (of thefirst and second LEDs 556, 560) discussed above. This provides afail-safe mode that ensures that the environment 100 is indeed vacantbefore the second LEDs 560 are shut off or reduced.

The light fixture 500 can respond in a similar or different manner todata indicating that there is more than a pre-determined amount ofnatural light in the environment 100, such that there is no need for thelight from the second LEDs 560, or there is less than a pre-determinedamount of natural light in the environment 100 (i.e., it is nighttime,such that the environment 100 is unlikely to be occupied). If desired,the light fixture 500 may only respond in this manner responsive to dataindicating that the environment 100 is unoccupied and data indicatingthat it is nighttime. Alternatively, the light fixture 500 may onlyrespond in this manner responsive to timer settings (e.g., it is after6:30 P.M.) and/or other commands or instructions.

The light fixture 500, and more particularly the first LEDs 556 and thesecond LEDs 560, can also be controlled responsive to settings such asthe dimmer setting 572 and the mode control setting 576 received by thecontroller 520. Responsive to receiving the dimmer setting 572 or themode control setting 576, the controller 520 causes the first and secondLED drivers 564, 568 to power (or not power) the first and second LEDs556, 560, respectively, in accordance with the received setting. Morespecifically, when the controller 520 receives the dimmer setting 572 orthe mode control setting 576, the controller 520 instructs the first LEDdriver 564, via a first LED control signal 580, and instructs the secondLED driver 568, via a second LED control signal 584, to power (or notpower) the first and second LEDs 556, 560 according to the desireddimming level specified by the dimmer setting 572 or the desiredoperating mode specified by the mode control setting 576.

FIG. 9G illustrates one example of how the controller 520 can controlthe first and second LED drivers 564, 568 responsive to various dimmersettings 572 that specify various dimming levels (e.g., 0%, 25%, 50%,75%, 100%). Generally speaking, the controller 520 causes the first andsecond LED drivers 564, 568 to increase the total light output by thefirst and second LEDs 556, 560 responsive to decreasing dimming levels,thereby increasing the color temperature of the total light output, andcauses the first and second LED drivers 564, 568 to decrease the totallight output by the first and second LEDs 556, 560 responsive toincreasing dimming levels, thereby decreasing the color temperature ofthe total light output. But, as shown in FIG. 9G, the controller 520controls the first LEDs 556 (via the first LED driver 564) differentlythan it controls the second LEDs 560 (via the second LED driver 568). Inother words, there exists a non-linear relationship between the amountof light emitted by the first LEDs 556 and the amount of light emittedby the second LEDs 560 at various dimming levels. This relationship isillustrated by the fact that a first curve 588, which represents thetotal power supplied to the first and second LEDs 556, 560 by the firstand second LED drivers 564, 568, respectively, as a function of variousdimmer levels, is not parallel to or with a second curve 592, whichrepresents the power supplied to the first LEDs 556 as a function of thesame varying dimmer levels. As an example, (i) when the dimmer setting572 specifies a dimmer level of 0% (i.e., no dimming), such that thelight fixture 500 is operated at full (100%) power, approximately 50% ofthat total power is supplied to the first LEDs 556, (ii) when the dimmersetting 572 specifies a dimmer level of 50%, such that the light fixture500 is operated at half (50%) power, less than 50% of that total poweris supplied to the first LEDs 556, and (iii) when the dimmer setting 572specifies a dimmer level of greater than 75% but less than 100%, suchthat the light fixture 500 is operated at a power less than 25%, nopower is supplied to the first LEDs 556. As a result, the first LEDs 556are turned completely off before the second LEDs 560 are turnedcompletely off. In this manner, the light output by the light fixture500 remains unobjectionable and aesthetically pleasing, even while thelight fixture 500 is dimmed, particularly when dimmed to very highlevels (e.g., 80%, 85%, 90%, 95%).

FIGS. 10A-10D illustrate yet another version of the lighting device 104,in the form of a light fixture 600. The light fixture 600 is similar tothe light fixture 500 in that it includes a housing or chassis 604 (witha flange 628) and a lens 614 configured to diffuse light emitted by thelight fixture in an efficient manner, as well as components like a localcontroller 618, an occupancy sensor, a communication module, and adosing feedback system identical to the controller 120, the sensor 108,the module 116, and the dosing feedback system 124, respectively,described above; thus, for the sake of brevity, these components willnot be described in any further detail. The light fixture 600 may alsoinclude any of the means for maintaining junction temperature discussedabove in connection with the lighting device 104. However, the lightfixture 600 includes a plurality of lighting elements 612 that isdifferent from the plurality of light emitting elements 512 of the lightfixture 500. While the lighting elements 612 are, like the elements 512,arranged on LED modules 654 in a sealed or closed light-mixing chamberdefined by the housing 604 and the lens 614, as illustrated in FIGS. 10Band 10C, each of the lighting elements 612 takes the form of alight-emitting diode (“LED”) 656 and a light-converting element 657 thatis associated therewith and is configured to convert a portion of thelight emitted by the LED 656, as illustrated in FIG. 10D. In thisversion, each LED module 654 includes seventy-six (76) lighting elements612, though in other versions, more or less lighting elements 612 can beemployed (and/or additional LEDs 656 can be employed withoutlight-converting elements 657). In this version, the light-convertingelement 657, which may for example be a phosphor element such as aphosphor or a substrate infused with phosphor, covers or coats the LED656, though in other versions the light-converting element 657 may belocated remotely from the LED 656 (e.g., a remote phosphor element).

In operation, the LEDs 656 of the lighting elements 612 emitdisinfecting light (e.g., light having a wavelength of between 400 nmand 420 nm) that, when combined or summed, produces power levelssufficient to deactivate pathogens. As discussed above, the LEDs 656 maycombine to emit at least 3,000 mW of the disinfecting light, e.g., 3,000mW, 4,000 mW, 5,000 mW, or some other level of visible light above 3,000mW. At least a first portion or component 700 (and in FIG. 10D, multiplecomponents 700) of the disinfecting light emitted by each LED 656travels or passes through the respective light-converting element 657without alteration, while at least a second portion or component 704(and in FIG. 10D, multiple components 704) of the disinfecting lightemitted by each LED 656 is (are) converted by the respectivelight-converting element 657 into light having a wavelength of greaterthan 420 nm. In many cases, the second portion(s) or component(s) 704 oflight is (are) converted into yellow light, i.e., light having awavelength of between 570 nm and 590 nm. In other words, each lightingelement 612 is configured to provide light, at least a first componentof the light, provided by the respective LED 656, having a wavelength ofbetween 400 nm and 420 nm and at least a second component of the light,provided by the respective light-converting element 657, having awavelength of greater than 420 nm. The first component(s) of theprovided light will, as is also described above, have a minimumintegrated irradiance, measured, at least in this example, from anyexposed surface or unshielded point in the environment 100 that is 1.5 mfrom any point on any external-most luminous surface 662 of the lightingdevice 504, equal to 0.01 mW/cm², 0.02 mW/cm², 0.05 mW/cm², 0.1 mW/cm²,0.15 mW/cm², 0.20 mW/cm², 0.25 mW/cm², 0.30 mW/cm², or some other valuegreater than 0.01 mW/cm². In other examples, the minimum integratedirradiance can be measured from a different distance from any point onany external-most luminous surface 662, nadir, or some other exposedsurface or point in the environment 100.

At the same time, the light provided or output by the light fixture 600,and more particularly each lighting element 612, is a white light havingthe properties discussed above, such that the provided light isaesthetically pleasing, or at least unobjectionable, to humans. This isbecause the light provided by the light converting elements 657, i.e.,the second component(s), complements the disinfecting light that isemitted by the LEDs 656 and passes through the light converting elements657 without alteration, i.e., the first component(s).

As with the light fixture 500, the light fixture 600 can provide oroutput light based on or in response to commands or instructions fromthe local controller 618. These commands or instructions may begenerated based on or responsive to occupancy data obtained by theoccupancy sensor and/or daylight data obtained by the daylight sensor,and/or based on or responsive to commands or instructions received froma user of the light fixture 600 (e.g., via the client devices 70) and/orthe server 66. Thus, the light fixture 600 may provide light responsiveto occupancy data obtained by the occupancy sensor, daylight dataobtained by the daylight sensor, and/or other commands or instructions(e.g., timing settings).

FIG. 11A illustrates one example of a distribution of the radiometricpower output by a lighting device 1100, which takes the form of any oneof the lighting devices 104, 200, 500, 600 described herein. Asillustrated in FIG. 11A, the radiometric power is at a maximum valuealong a center axis 1104 of the light distribution from the lightingdevice 100, while the radiometric power along a line 1108 oriented at anangle θ from the center axis 1104 is equal to 50% of the maximumradiometric power value, so long as the radiometric power at the centeraxis 1104 and the radiometric power on the line 1108 are measured atequal distances from the lighting device 1100. The line 1108 in thisversion is oriented at an angle θ equal to 20 or 30 degrees from thecenter axis 1104, but may, in other versions, be oriented at a differentangle θ.

It will be appreciated that a lighting device such as one of thelighting devices 104, 200, 500, 600, 1100 described herein candistribute light within or throughout the environment 100 in any numberof different ways, depending upon the given application. The lightingdevice can, for example, utilize a lambertian distribution 1120, anasymmetric distribution 1140, a downlight with cutoff distribution 1160,or a direct-indirect distribution 1180, as illustrated in FIGS. 11B-11E,respectively.

The lambertian distribution plot 1120 illustrated in FIG. 11B takes theform of a two-dimensional polar graph that depicts a magnitude M of theintensity of the light output from a lighting device as a function ofthe vertical α from the horizontal. As shown in FIG. 11B, the lambertiandistribution plot 1120 includes a first light distribution 1124 measuredalong a vertical plane through horizontal angles 0-180 degrees, a secondlight distribution 1128 measured along a vertical plane throughhorizontal angles 90-270 degrees, and a third light distribution 1132measured along a vertical plane through horizontal angles 180-0 degrees.As illustrated by each of the first, second, and third lightdistributions 1124, 1128, and 1132, the magnitude M of light intensityis at its maximum value (in this example, 5240 candela) when thevertical angle α is equal to 0 degrees (i.e., nadir), such that the mainbeam angle, which corresponds to the vertical angle of highestmagnitude, is equal to 0 degrees. The magnitude M then decreases as thevertical angle α moves from 0 degrees to 90 degrees.

The asymmetric distribution plot 1140 illustrated in FIG. 11C likewisetakes the form of a two-dimensional polar graph that depicts themagnitude M of the intensity of the light output from a lighting deviceas a function of the vertical α from the horizontal. As shown in FIG.11C, the asymmetric distribution plot 1140 includes a first lightdistribution 1144 measured along a vertical plane through horizontalangles between 0-180 degrees and a second light distribution 1148measured along a vertical plane through horizontal angles between 90-270degrees. As illustrated by the first and second light distributions1144, 1148, light is distributed asymmetrically to one side of thelighting device, with the magnitude M of light intensity at its maximumvalue (in this example, 2307 candela) when the vertical angle α is equalto 25 degrees, such that the main beam angle, which corresponds to thevertical angle α of highest magnitude, is equal to 25 degrees. Such adistribution may, for example, be utilized in an environment 100 thatfeatures an operating table, so that the main beams of light from thelighting device are directed toward the operating table.

The downlight with cutoff distribution plot 1160 illustrated in FIG. 11Dalso takes the form of a two-dimensional polar graph that depicts themagnitude M of the intensity of the light output from a recessedlighting device as a function of the vertical α from the horizontal. Asshown in FIG. 11D, the distribution plot 1160 includes a first lightdistribution 1164 measured along a vertical plane through horizontalangles between 0-180 degrees, a second light distribution 1168 measuredalong a vertical plane through horizontal angles between 90-270 degrees,and a third light distribution 1172 measured along a horizontal conethrough a vertical angle α of 20 degrees. As illustrated by the first,second, and third light distributions 1164, 1168, and 1172, themagnitude M of light intensity is at its maximum value (in this example,2586 candela) when the horizontal angle is 60 degrees and the verticalangle α is equal to 20 degrees, and there is very minimal lightintensity (i.e., the light is cutoff) above 45 degrees. The main beamangle, which corresponds to the vertical angle α of highest magnitude,is thus equal to 20 degrees, making this distribution appropriate forapplications when, for example, an off-center but symmetricaldistribution is desired. This type of distribution generally allows forgreater spacing between adjacent lighting devices while maintaining arelatively uniform projection of light on the ground.

The direct-indirect distribution plot 1180 illustrated in FIG. 11E alsotakes the form of a two-dimensional polar graph that depicts themagnitude M of the intensity of the light output from a lighting deviceas a function of the vertical α from the horizontal. As shown in FIG.11E, the distribution plot 1180 includes a first light distribution 1184along a vertical plane through horizontal angles between 90-270 degrees,and a second light distribution 1188 measured along a vertical planethrough horizontal angles between 180-0 degrees. As illustrated by thefirst and second light distributions 1184 and 1168, the magnitude M oflight intensity is at its maximum value (in this example, 1398 candela)when the horizontal angle is 90 degrees and the vertical angle α isequal to 117.5 degrees, and most (e.g., approximately 80%) of the lightis directed upwards (as evidenced by the fact that the light intensityis greater at vertical angles α between 90 degrees and 270 degrees. Themain beam angle, which corresponds to the vertical angle α of highestmagnitude, is thus equal to 117.5 degrees, making this distributionappropriate for applications when, for example, the lighting device issuspended from a ceiling and utilizes the ceiling to provide light tothe environment, which in turn provides a low-glare lighting to theenvironment.

FIGS. 11F-11I each depict a chart that details the luminous flux(measured in lumens) for the lambertian, asymmetric, downlight withcutoff, and direct-indirect distributions 1120, 1140, 1160, and 1180,respectively. More specifically, each chart details the integration ofthe luminous intensity over the solid angle of the respectivedistribution 1120, 1140, 1160, and 1180, for various zones of verticalangles α (i.e., the luminous flux).

FIG. 12 depicts a flowchart of one method 1200 of providing doses oflight sufficient to deactivate dangerous pathogens (e.g., MRSA bacteria)throughout a volumetric space (e.g., the environment 100) over a periodof time (e.g., 24 hours). The method 1200 is implemented in the ordershown, but may be implemented in or according to any number of differentorders. The method 1200 may include additional, fewer, or differentacts. For example, the first, second, third, and/or fourth data receivedin act 1205 may be received at different times prior to act 1220, withthe receipt of data at different times constituting different acts. Asanother example, the acts 1205, 1210, and 1215 may be repeated a numberof times before the act 1220 is performed.

The method 1200 begins when data associated with the volumetric space isreceived (act 1205). The data may include (i) first data associated witha desired illuminance level for the volumetric space, (ii) second dataindicative of an estimated occupancy of the volumetric space over apre-determined period of time, (iii) third data indicative of a length,width, and/or height of the volumetric space (one or more of the length,width, and/or height may be a default value, so need not be provided),and (iv) fourth data indicative of a preferred CCT for the volumetricspace. While in this version the first, second, third, and fourth datais described as being received at the same time, these data can bereceived at different times. The desired illuminance level will varydepending upon the application and the size of the volumetric space, butmay, for example, be 40-60 fc, 100-125 fc, 200-300 fc, or some othervalue or range of values. The estimated occupancy of the volumetricspace over the pre-determined period of time generally relates to theamount of time per day that the volumetric space is occupied Like thedesired illuminance level, this will vary depending upon theapplication, but may be 4 hours, 6 hours, 8 hours, 12 hours, or someother period of time. The preferred CCT for the volumetric space willalso vary depending upon the given application, but may, for example, bein a range of between approximately 1500 K and 7000 K, more particularlybetween approximately 1800 K and 5000 K.

The method 1200 includes determining an arrangement of one or morelighting fixtures to be installed in the volumetric space (act 1210).The determination is, in the illustrated method, based on the firstdata, though it can be made based on combinations of the first data, thesecond data, the third data, and/or the fourth data. The arrangement ofone or more lighting fixtures generally includes one or more of any ofthe light fixtures described herein, e.g., the light fixture 200, lightfixture 500, the light fixture 600, and/or one or more other lightfixtures (e.g., one or more light fixtures configured to emit onlydisinfecting light). Thus, the arrangement of one or more lightingfixtures is configured to at least partially provide or output (e.g.,emit) disinfecting light having a wavelength of between 380 nm and 420nm, and more particularly between 400 nm and 420 nm. In some cases, theone or more lighting fixtures may also be configured to at leastpartially provide light having a wavelength of greater than 420 nm, suchthat the combined or blended light output of the lighting fixtures is amore aesthetically pleasing or unobjectionable than would otherwise bethe case. The arrangement of one or more lighting fixtures may alsoinclude means for directing the disinfecting light, such as, forexample, one or more reflectors, one or more diffusers, and one or morelenses positioned within or outside of the lighting fixtures. Thearrangement of one or more lighting fixtures may optionally include ameans for managing heat generated by the one or more lighting fixtures,such that heat-sensitive components in the one or more lighting fixturescan be protected. The means for managing heat may, for example, take theform of one or more heat sinks and/or may involve utilizing a switchingcircuit that, when a lighting fixture that utilizes two light-emittingdevices is employed, prevents the two circuits for the light-emittingdevices from being energized at the same time during use. In some cases,a thermal cutoff may be added to prevent the lighting fixture(s) fromoverheating.

The method 1200 also includes determining a total radiometric power tobe applied to the volumetric space via the one or more lighting fixturesso as to produce a desired power density at any exposed surface (i.e.,unshielded surface) within the volumetric space during the period oftime (act 1215). The determination is, in the illustrated method, basedon the second data and third data, though it can be made based oncombinations of the first data, the second data, the third data, and/orthe fourth data. As discussed above, the desired power density may be orinclude a minimum integrated irradiance equal to 0.01 mW/cm², 0.02mW/cm², 0.05 mW/cm², 0.1 mW/cm², 0.15 mW/cm², 0.20 mW/cm², 0.25 mW/cm²,0.30 mW/cm², or some other value greater than 0.01 mW/cm². The minimumintegrated irradiance may be measured from any unshielded point in thevolumetric space, a distance of 1.5 m from any external-most luminoussurface of the lighting device, nadir, or some other point or surface inthe volumetric space. In this manner, dangerous pathogens in thevolumetric space are effectively deactivated.

In one example, the total radiometric power to be applied to thevolumetric space can be determined according to the following formula:Total radiometric power=(Minimum integrated irradiance (mW/cm²)*Duration(fractional day))/Volume of volumetric space (ft³), where the durationrepresents the amount of time per day that the volumetric space is to beoccupied, and where the volume of the volumetric space is calculated bymultiplying the length, height, and width of the volumetric space.

In some cases, e.g., when the arrangement of one or more lightingfixtures includes one or more lighting fixtures, such as the lightingfixtures 500, that are operable in different modes, the totalradiometric power may be calculated for each of the modes and thensummed to produce the total radiometric power to be applied to thevolumetric space.

Once the total radiometric power to be applied to the volumetric spacehas been determined, the determined total may be compared to otherapplications (i.e., other volumetric spaces) for which disinfectionlevels have actually been measured, so as to verify that the totaldetermined radiometric power for the volumetric space will be sufficientto deactivate dangerous pathogens.

The method 1200 then includes installing the determined arrangement oflighting fixtures in the volumetric space (act 1220), which can be donein any known manner, such that the determined total radiometric powercan be applied to the volumetric space via the one or more lightingfixtures. The method 1200 optionally includes the act of applying thedetermined total radiometric power to the volumetric space via the oneor more lighting fixtures (act 1225). By applying the determined totalradiometric power, which is done without using any photosensitizers orreactive agents, produces the desired power density within thevolumetric space during the period of time. In turn, dangerous pathogenswithin the volumetric space are, over the designated period of time,deactivated by the specially arranged and configured lighting fixtures.

In some cases, act 1225 may also involve controlling the one or morelight fixtures, which may done via one or more controllers (e.g., thecontroller 120, the controller 520) communicatively connected to thelight fixtures. More specifically, the wavelength, the intensity, thebandwidth, or some other parameter of the disinfecting light (e.g., thelight having a wavelength of between 400 nm and 420 nm) may becontrolled or adjusted. This may be done automatically, e.g., when theone or more controllers detect, via one or more sensors, that thewavelength, the intensity, the bandwidth, or some other parameter of thedisinfecting light has strayed, responsive to a control signal receivedfrom a central controller located remotely from the one or more lightingfixtures, and/or responsive to an input received from a user or operatorof the lighting fixtures (e.g., entered via one of the client devices70). In one example, the one or more light fixtures can be controlledresponsive to new or altered first, second, third, and/or fourth databeing received and/or detected (e.g., via a photo controller). In anyevent, such control or adjustment helps to maintain the desired powerintensity, such that the one or more lighting fixtures continue toeffectively deactivate dangerous pathogens throughout the volumetricspace.

It will be appreciated that the volumetric space may vary in sizedepending upon the given application. As an example, the volumetricspace may have a volume up to and including 25,000 ft³ (707.92 m³). Insome cases, the volumetric space may be partially defined or bounded bya plane of the one or more lighting fixtures and a floor plane of thevolumetric space. As an example, the volumetric space may be partiallydefined by an area that extends between 0.5 m below a plane of the oneor more lighting fixtures and 24 in. (60.96 cm) above a floor plane ofthe volumetric space or an area that extends between 1.5 m below a planeof the one or more lighting fixtures and 24 in. (60.96 cm) above a floorplane of the volumetric space. The volumetric space may alternatively bedefined by areas that are a different distance from the plane of the oneor more lighting fixtures and/or the floor plane of the volumetricspace.

Finally, it will be appreciated that the acts 1205, 1210, 1215, 1220,and 1225 of the method 1200 may be implemented by the server 66, one ofthe client devices 70, some other machine or device, a person, such as auser, a technician, an administrator, or operator, associated with thevolumetric space, or combinations thereof.

FIG. 13 illustrates an example control device 1325 via which some of thefunctionalities discussed herein may be implemented. In some versions,the control device 1325 may be the server 66 discussed with respect toFIG. 1 , the local controller 120 discussed with respect to FIG. 2 , thedosing feedback system 124 discussed with respect to FIG. 2 , the localcontroller 520 discussed with respect to FIG. 9D, the local controller618, or any other control components (e.g., controllers) describedherein. Generally, the control device 1325 is a dedicated machine,device, controller, or the like, including any combination of hardwareand software components.

The control device 1325 may include a processor 1379 or other similartype of controller module or microcontroller, as well as a memory 1395.The memory 1395 may store an operating system 1397 capable offacilitating the functionalities as discussed herein. The processor 1379may interface with the memory 1395 to execute the operating system 1397and a set of applications 1383. The set of applications 1383 (which thememory 1395 may also store) may include a lighting setting application1381 that is configured to generate commands or instructions toimplement various lighting settings and transmit thecommands/instructions to a set of lighting devices. It should beappreciated that the set of applications 1383 may include one or moreother applications 1382.

Generally, the memory 1395 may include one or more forms of volatileand/or non-volatile, fixed and/or removable memory, such as read-onlymemory (ROM), electronic programmable read-only memory (EPROM), randomaccess memory (RAM), erasable electronic programmable read-only memory(EEPROM), and/or other hard drives, flash memory, MicroSD cards, andothers.

The control device 1325 may further include a communication module 1393configured to interface with one or more external ports 1385 tocommunicate data via one or more networks 1316 (e.g., which may take theform of one or more of the networks 74). For example, the communicationmodule 1393 may leverage the external ports 1385 to establish a WLAN forconnecting the control device 1325 to a set of lighting devices and/orto a set of bridge devices. According to some embodiments, thecommunication module 1393 may include one or more transceiversfunctioning in accordance with IEEE standards, 3GPP standards, or otherstandards, and configured to receive and transmit data via the one ormore external ports 1385. More particularly, the communication module1393 may include one or more wireless or wired WAN, PAN, and/or LANtransceivers configured to connect the control device 1325 to the WANs,PANs, and/or LANs.

The control device 1325 may further include a user interface 1387configured to present information to a user and/or receive inputs fromthe user. As illustrated in FIG. 13 , the user interface 1387 includes adisplay screen 1391 and I/O components 1389 (e.g., capacitive orresistive touch sensitive input panels, keys, buttons, lights, LEDs,cursor control devices, haptic devices, and others).

In general, a computer program product in accordance with an embodimentincludes a computer usable storage medium (e.g., standard random accessmemory (RAM), an optical disc, a universal serial bus (USB) drive, orthe like) having computer-readable program code embodied therein,wherein the computer-readable program code is adapted to be executed bythe processor 1379 (e.g., working in connection with the operatingsystem 1397) to facilitate the functions as described herein. In thisregard, the program code may be implemented in any desired language, andmay be implemented as machine code, assembly code, byte code,interpretable source code or the like (e.g., via C, C++, Java,Actionscript, Objective-C, Javascript, CSS, XML, and/or others).

Throughout this specification, plural instances may implementcomponents, operations, or structures described as a single instance.Although individual operations of one or more methods are illustratedand described as separate operations, one or more of the individualoperations may be performed concurrently, and nothing requires that theoperations be performed in the order illustrated. Structures andfunctionality presented as separate components in example configurationsmay be implemented as a combined structure or component. Similarly,structures and functionality presented as a single component may beimplemented as separate components. These and other variations,modifications, additions, and improvements fall within the scope of thesubject matter herein.

As used herein any reference to “one embodiment” or “an embodiment”means that a particular element, feature, structure, or characteristicdescribed in connection with the embodiment is included in at least oneembodiment. The appearances of the phrase “in one embodiment” in variousplaces in the specification are not necessarily all referring to thesame embodiment.

Some embodiments may be described using the expression “coupled” and“connected” along with their derivatives. For example, some embodimentsmay be described using the term “coupled” to indicate that two or moreelements are in direct physical or electrical contact. The term“coupled,” however, may also mean that two or more elements are not indirect contact with each other, but yet still cooperate or interact witheach other. The embodiments are not limited in this context.

As used herein, the terms “comprises,” “comprising,” “includes,”“including,” “has,” “having” or any other variation thereof, areintended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion. For example, a process,method, article, or apparatus that comprises a list of elements is notnecessarily limited to only those elements but may include otherelements not expressly listed or inherent to such process, method,article, or apparatus. Further, unless expressly stated to the contrary,“or” refers to an inclusive or and not to an exclusive or. For example,a condition A or B is satisfied by any one of the following: A is true(or present) and B is false (or not present), A is false (or notpresent) and B is true (or present), and both A and B are true (orpresent).

In addition, use of the “a” or “an” are employed to describe elementsand components of the embodiments herein. This is done merely forconvenience and to give a general sense of the description. Thisdescription, and the claims that follow, should be read to include oneor at least one and the singular also includes the plural unless it isobvious that it is meant otherwise.

This detailed description is to be construed as examples and does notdescribe every possible embodiment, as describing every possibleembodiment would be impractical, if not impossible. One could implementnumerous alternate embodiments, using either current technology ortechnology developed after the filing date of this application.

1. A method of inactivating one or more pathogens in an environment, themethod comprising: providing light from at least one lighting element ofa lighting device installed in the environment, the at least onelighting element configured to provide light toward a target area in theenvironment, the provided light having at least a pathogen-inactivatingfirst component in a first range of wavelengths of 400 nanometers to 420nanometers, wherein the pathogen-inactivating first component of lightproduces an irradiance of at least 0.01 mW/cm² as measured at a surfacein the target area that is unshielded from the lighting device andlocated at a distance of 1.5 meters from an external-most luminoussurface of the lighting device, wherein providing the light causes theone or more pathogens to be inactivated.
 2. The method of claim 1,wherein the one or more pathogens are inactivated without using anyphotosensitizers to cause inactivation of the one or more pathogens. 3.The method of claim 1, wherein the irradiance is substantially equal to0.02, 0.05, 0.1 mW/cm², 0.15 mW/cm², 0.2 mW/cm², 0.25 mW/cm², or 0.3mW/cm² at the surface in the target area that is unshielded from thelighting device and located at a distance of 1.5 meters from anexternal-most luminous surface of the lighting device.
 4. The method ofclaim 1, wherein the at least one lighting element comprises at leastone light-emitting diode (LED).
 5. The method of claim 4, wherein thelight is provided from the lighting device that further comprises ameans for maintaining a junction temperature of the at least one LEDbelow a maximum operating temperature of the at least one LED.
 6. Themethod of claim 1, wherein the light is provided from the at least onelighting element that comprises: one or more first light-emittingelements configured to emit the pathogen-inactivating first component ofthe light; and one or more second light-emitting elements configured toemit a second component of the provided light, such that providing lightfrom the at least one lighting element comprises providing a combinedlight formed by the first component of light in combination with thesecond component of light.
 7. The method of claim 6, wherein thecombined light is white light having u′, v′ coordinates on the 1976 CIEChromaticity Diagram that lie within an area that is bounded (i)vertically between 0.035 Duv below and 0.035 Duv above a planckian locusdefined by the ANSI C78.377-2015 color standard, and (ii) horizontallybetween a correlated color temperature (CCT) isoline of betweenapproximately 1500K and 7000K.
 8. The method of claim 6, wherein thearea is bounded vertically between 0.007 Duv below and 0.007 Duv abovethe planckian locus.
 9. The method of claim 1, wherein the light isprovided from the at least one lighting element that comprises: one ormore light-emitting elements configured to emit thepathogen-inactivating first component of the light; and one or morelight-converting elements arranged with respect to the one or morelight-emitting elements such that (1) a first portion of thepathogen-inactivating first component of the light is not altered by theone or more light-converting elements, and (2) a second portion of thepathogen-inactivating first component of the light passes through theone or more light-converting elements to produce a second component ofthe provided light, the second component having a wavelength of greaterthan 420 nm, such that providing light from the at least one lightingelement comprises providing a combined light formed by the firstcomponent of light in combination with the second component of light.10. The method of claim 9, wherein the combined light is white lighthaving u′, v′ coordinates on the 1976 CIE Chromaticity Diagram that liewithin an area that is bounded (i) vertically between 0.035 Duv belowand 0.035 Duv above a planckian locus defined by the ANSI C78.377-2015color standard, and (ii) horizontally between a correlated colortemperature (CCT) isoline of between approximately 1500K and 7000K. 11.The method of claim 10, wherein the area is bounded vertically between0.007 Duv below and 0.007 Duv above the planckian locus.
 12. The methodof claim 9, wherein the one or more light-converting elements includeone or more phosphors.
 13. The method of claim 1, wherein the at leastone lighting element is contained within a housing.
 14. The method ofclaim 1, wherein the light is provided over an operating mode of eighthours or 24 hours over which the lighting device is configured toirradiate the target area.
 15. A lighting system configured toinactivate one or more pathogens in an environment, the lighting systemcomprising: a lighting device installed in the environment, the lightingdevice comprising at least one lighting element configured to providelight toward a target area in the environment, the provided light havingat least a pathogen-inactivating first component in a first range ofwavelengths of 400 nanometers to 420 nanometers, wherein thepathogen-inactivating first component of light produces an irradiance ofat least 0.01 mW/cm² as measured at a surface in the target area that isunshielded from the lighting device and located at a distance of 1.5meters from an external-most luminous surface of the lighting device,such that the providing of the light causes the one or more pathogens tobe inactivated.
 16. The lighting system of claim 15, wherein thelighting system does not include any photosensitizers for causinginactivation of the one or more pathogens.
 17. The lighting system ofclaim 15, wherein the irradiance is substantially equal to 0.02, 0.05,0.1 mW/cm², 0.15 mW/cm², 0.2 mW/cm², 0.25 mW/cm², or 0.3 mW/cm² at thesurface in the target area that is unshielded from the lighting deviceand located at a distance of 1.5 meters from an external-most luminoussurface of the lighting device.
 18. The lighting system of claim 15,wherein the at least one lighting element comprises at least onelight-emitting diode (LED).
 19. The lighting system of claim 15, whereinthe at least one lighting element comprises: one or more firstlight-emitting elements configured to emit the pathogen-inactivatingfirst component of the light; and one or more second light-emittingelements configured to emit a second component of the provided light,such that providing light from the at least one lighting elementcomprises providing a combined light formed by the first component oflight in combination with the second component of light.
 20. Thelighting system of claim 19, wherein the combined light is white lighthaving u′, v′ coordinates on the 1976 CIE Chromaticity Diagram that liewithin an area that is bounded (i) vertically between 0.035 Duv belowand 0.035 Duv above a planckian locus defined by the ANSI C78.377-2015color standard, and (ii) horizontally between a correlated colortemperature (CCT) isoline of between approximately 1500K and 7000K. 21.The lighting device of claim 15, wherein the at least one lightingelement comprises: one or more light-emitting elements configured toemit the pathogen-inactivating first component of the light; and one ormore light-converting elements arranged with respect to the one or morelight-emitting elements such that (1) a first portion of thepathogen-inactivating first component of the light is not altered by theone or more light-converting elements, and (2) a second portion of thepathogen-inactivating first component of the light passes through theone or more light-converting elements to produce a second component ofthe provided light, the second component having a wavelength of greaterthan 420 nm, such that providing light from the at least one lightingelement comprises providing a combined light formed by the firstcomponent of light in combination with the second component of light.22. The lighting device of claim 21, wherein the combined light is whitelight having u′, v′ coordinates on the 1976 CIE Chromaticity Diagramthat lie within an area that is bounded (i) vertically between 0.035 Duvbelow and 0.035 Duv above a planckian locus defined by the ANSIC78.377-2015 color standard, and (ii) horizontally between a correlatedcolor temperature (CCT) isoline of between approximately 1500K and7000K.